June 7, 2020
“A bell's not a bell 'til you ring it - A song's not a song 'til you sing it - Love in your heart wasn't put there to stay - Love isn't love 'til you give it away!” I memorized this for something when I was a kid and from time to time it just pops into my head. I thought it was a poem. Today I Googled it and discovered it is a quote from musical theatre writer and director, Oscar Hammerstein II. Apparently even his quotes are poetic. This is the man who wrote the lyrics to many great musicals, among them, “Oklahoma!”, “The Sound of Music”, “The King and I” and “State Fair”. I have always admired his way with words. But back to that quote, the last part is really something to consider. How do we show others that we love them? If we just sit and look at them or think about them, there is no evidence of our feelings. Even if we say we love them but take no action, where is the proof of our love? It is easy to say, “I love you!” but what we do for others and how we treat them speaks more loudly than just the words. (“Actions speak louder than words.”) There is proof through research that doing things for others benefits us and helps us to feel happier ourselves. “Doing good” can decrease stress, increase life expectancy, help us to feel better and happier and promotes our mental health. In his book, “How Happiness Happens”, Max Lucado writes, “Doing good does good for the doer.” You never know how a small act of kindness can make someone feel loved or help to draw them closer to God. When we serve others, we are serving God. John 15:11-12 (TLB) says: “I have told you this so that you will be filled with my joy. Yes, your cup of joy will overflow! I demand that you love each other as much as I love you.” Hebrews 13:16 (NIV) says: “And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.” Give away some love today! Smile and be joyful!
“A bell's not a bell 'til you ring it - A song's not a song 'til you sing it - Love in your heart wasn't put there to stay - Love isn't love 'til you give it away!” I memorized this for something when I was a kid and from time to time it just pops into my head. I thought it was a poem. Today I Googled it and discovered it is a quote from musical theatre writer and director, Oscar Hammerstein II. Apparently even his quotes are poetic. This is the man who wrote the lyrics to many great musicals, among them, “Oklahoma!”, “The Sound of Music”, “The King and I” and “State Fair”. I have always admired his way with words. But back to that quote, the last part is really something to consider. How do we show others that we love them? If we just sit and look at them or think about them, there is no evidence of our feelings. Even if we say we love them but take no action, where is the proof of our love? It is easy to say, “I love you!” but what we do for others and how we treat them speaks more loudly than just the words. (“Actions speak louder than words.”) There is proof through research that doing things for others benefits us and helps us to feel happier ourselves. “Doing good” can decrease stress, increase life expectancy, help us to feel better and happier and promotes our mental health. In his book, “How Happiness Happens”, Max Lucado writes, “Doing good does good for the doer.” You never know how a small act of kindness can make someone feel loved or help to draw them closer to God. When we serve others, we are serving God. John 15:11-12 (TLB) says: “I have told you this so that you will be filled with my joy. Yes, your cup of joy will overflow! I demand that you love each other as much as I love you.” Hebrews 13:16 (NIV) says: “And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.” Give away some love today! Smile and be joyful!
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